Chapter 147: Dinner Tensions

The Borin mansion was alive with celebration!

It wasn’t the boisterous, unrestrained revelry one might expect for a grand occasion, but rather a subdued warmth.

Soft laughter mingled with the clinking of cutlery, creating an event of familial contentment.

The grand dining hall, typically set for a multitude of guests held only a select few today.

Lord Cedric, Lady Mirenia, a handful of key household members, and the four young Borin quadruplets occupied the chairs around the polished table.

All four of the quadruplets were impeccably dressed, reflecting the significance of the day.

It was, after all their eleventh birthday, a milestone though not regarded highly, but was made to be marked with extravagant parties but with an intimate, heartfelt feast.

Plates laden with roasted meat, delicate pastries, and a vibrant array of seasonal fruits adorned the table.

The aroma of freshly baked bread and pies filled the air, promising a delightful indulgence.

Everyone seemed to bask in the glow of the occasion and their faces were alight with smiles, save for two individuals.

Julian with his black hair, maintained his usual impassive expression. It was hardly a surprise as a smile was a rare commodity on his face.

What was surprising, however, was the stark contrast presented by Serena, who sat beside him.



Her usual cheerfulness had long vanished, replaced by a subtle, almost imperceptible cloud of melancholy that seemed to cling to her like a shadow. Her fork idly pushed around a piece of meat and her gaze was distant and unfocused.

Lady Mirenia finally addressed her daughter with a soft voice.

"Serena dear, is everything alright? You’ve been so quiet tonight."

Serena was startled when she heard her name. She looked up abruptly with wide eyes, and for a moment, there was a spark of defiance within them, as if she was on the verge of an outburst.

But then, with a visible effort, she reined herself in, leaning back in her chair with a sigh.

"It’s nothing, mum," she murmured, "I’m okay."

Mirenia’s expression remained unconvinced.

"No, you’re not. You’re my daughter, Serena. You can tell me if there’s anything troubling you."

The quiet insistence in her mother’s tone almost made Serena snap. But again, she swallowed them down, a practiced calm settling over her features.

"You don’t need to worry, mum. I’m truly fine."

But she wasn’t. Not even close. Ever since she had begun speaking more frequently with Adrian, her perception of her family had undergone a shift.

She now saw them through a different lens. She wasn’t even sad that Adrian wasn’t present at their birthday celebration; in fact, a part of her was almost relieved.

His absence, however, brought with it another pang of sorrow: there had been no news from him in months. Her heart ached with a silent prayer:

’Adrian, wherever you are, please stay safe for me...’

Her thoughts were abruptly shattered by Diana’s voice.

"Sis, you’ve been acting all moody lately," She said with a slight pout on her lips. "Where did all your cheerfulness and kindness go?"

Diana’s tone might have sounded compassionate to an uninitiated ear, but Serena saw straight through the facade.

’She’s mocking me,’ she thought, a bitter taste rising in her mouth.

The reality of her sister’s true intentions made her grip her fork a fraction tighter as she continued to push the food around her plate, feigning indifference.

Her lack of response clearly irked Diana and a flash of anger flickered across her face, easily discernible to those who knew her well.

"Oh, you’re ignoring me now, are you?" she blurted out as her voice rose. "I can see that knight boy you’ve been making out with recently has really gotten into your head. Or do you think I didn’t see you then?"

The sudden accusation made Serena’s head snap up. A stunned silence descended upon the dining hall.

The only sound was the faint clinking of cutlery as Julian continued to eat, seemingly uninterested to the dramatic turn of events.

Then, Lady Mirenia’s voice cut through the stillness, sharp with shock and disbelief. "Serena!" she exclaimed with wide eyes.

Lord Cedric, who had been quietly enjoying his meal, also paused, his fork halfway to his mouth and his face now bearing a frown.

"It wasn’t what it seemed like, Mum, Dad, I can explain—"

Serena tried to explain, but none of them seemed to be listening. Lord Cedric gently placed his hand over Mirenia’s, a silent signal of agreement between them.

He then turned his gaze to Serena.

"Your mother and I would like to have a talk with you after this."

"Yes, Dad," Serena mumbled. She knew with certainty that she had gotten herself into serious trouble.

In a matter of minutes, the lively feast had undergone a complete 180-degree transformation.

The lighthearted chatter had dissipated, replaced by a silence that hung heavily.

The remaining food on the table seemed to lose its appeal, and within a surprisingly short time, the elaborate birthday meal concluded.

One by one, the household members and Lady Mirenia and Lord Cedric excused themselves.

And soon, only Julian, Fabian, and Diana remained at the grand dining table.

Julian was eating his food at a snail’s pace, seemingly unaffected by the recent drama.

Fabian and Diana, however, had long since finished their meals.

The moment Serena had disappeared from their sight, Fabian turned to his sister.

"You know that wasn’t necessary."

"And what do you think you are," Diana retorted immediately. "You think you can tell me what to do?"

Fabian’s lips twitched after hearing his sister and a dangerous glint enterrd his eyes.



Without a word, a tangible pressure filled the air around him as he released his formidable 3-Star aura.

The sudden, immense power that emanated from him pressed down on Diana with an invisible weight.

Diana gasped, her breath catching in her throat as she instinctively struggled against the suffocating force.

Her face contorted in a silent battle but after a moment of intense effort, she managed to break through the oppressive aura.

Without another word, she shoved her chair back with a loud scrape and stormed out of the dining hall with a hiss, unwilling to risk any further confrontation with her brother.

With Diana gone, the tension in the room ease. Fabian stood up to leave as well, a satisfied, almost predatory gleam in his eyes.

Now, only Julian was left alone at the expansive table.

He slowly lowered his fork, letting it clink against his plate.

He looked down at the barely touched food and said under his breath.

"It’s about time."

Then, with a deliberate motion, he pushed back his chair and stood before leaving.

***

Shortly after the last of the household staff had departed, leaving the grand dining hall in a hushed state, Serena found herself standing before the door of her parents’ private chambers.

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she raised a trembling hand and knocked, the sound echoing unnaturally loud in the quiet hall.

"Enter," Lord Cedric’s voice, devoid of its usual warmth, called from within.

Serena pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The room was brightly lit with Adrian’s signature mana bulbs, and the mana fan threw cool air around.

Lord Cedric sat in a high-backed armchair while Lady Mirenia stood by the window with her back to Serena.

Neither of them offered a greeting. The silence stretched until Lady Mirenia finally turned, her face etched with a profound disappointment.

"Serena, dear," Mirenia’s voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable weight. "Please, sit."

Serena moved to the plush velvet chair opposite her father. She tried to compose herself, to conjure an air of innocence, but the weight of their gazes was too much.

"So," Mirenia began, her eyes fixed on her daughter, "how true is what we heard tonight? Are you... conversing with a male outside of our knowledge?"

Serena’s gaze dropped to her lap and she manage a small, almost imperceptible nod.

Mirenia sighed. "And I heard the two of you are quite close, correct?"

Another nod. Serena’s voice was barely a whisper as she finally spoke, "We’re just friends, I swear."

Mirenia shook her head slowly, her eyes never leaving Serena’s face. "I’ll ask you finally, Serena. Is he a mage?"

Serena looked up, genuinely confused. "No," she said, her brow furrowing. "Why would he be a mage?"

Mirenia’s gaze drifted, her eyes seeming to look through Serena rather than at her. "This is not the daughter I knew," she murmured, more to herself than to Serena.

"My sweet Serena... how could you be so reckless? So... foolish?"

The words stung, igniting a spark of defiance within Serena. She had endured the accusations, the disappointment, but to be called foolish for something she saw as harmless was too much.

"He’s a Knight!" she blurted out, her voice rising suddenly. "And how is that even a problem? Knights are not as weak as you think. He’s actually very—"

"ENOUGH!"

Lord Cedric’s voice boomed, cutting through Serena’s defense like a thunderclap.

He hadn’t moved, but the sheer force of his shout made the very air in the room.

Serena flinched, shrinking back into her chair. A shiver ran down her spine, and despite the absence of any visible aura, the raw power in her father’s voice made her tremble. Her eyes welled up, and she bit her lip hard to keep from crying out.

Cedric took a deep, calming breath, his face straightening into a mask of cold resolve.

He turned his gaze from Serena to his wife. "We can’t trust this girl anymore," he stated, his voice now low and steady. "I always knew that you never wanted anything good for yourself."

Lady Mirenia’s eyes, still filled with a profound sadness, met her husband’s. She nodded slowly, then stood, her posture rigid.

"I agree with you. I might have to check her... to see if she’s safe."

Lord Cedric’s expression softened slightly, a flicker of concern replacing the anger. He nodded. "It had to be done."

Serena’s mind reeled. ’What? she wanted to scream. How can you say you can’t trust me?’



But the words caught in her throat, choked by the fear and the overwhelming sense of betrayal.

Lady Mirenia steeled herself, her eyes hardening with a grim determination.

She walked close to Serena and raised her hands before saying a chant.

A cool, invisible current of wind magic coursed through Serena.

It was a strange sensation, like a gentle breeze passing through her very essence, probing and searching.

It lasted for several seconds, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable.

Finally, Mirenia’s hands dropped. Her eyes, which had been closed in concentration, snapped open.

They were wide with shock, and she gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth.

A single tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek.

Lord Cedric instantly panicked. He shot to his feet. "What is it? What’s happening?"

With trembling hands, Lady Mirenia reached for the back of Serena’s gown. Her fingers fumbled with the zipper, pulling it down to show her husband.

What he saw made him freeze as well... and his face was drained of all color.